Ontario rolls out vaccine mobile app and QR code: What Windsor-Essex residents need to know
Windsor-Essex residents can download a QR code to prove their COVID-19 vaccination status at non-essential businesses.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford released details of the province’s new enhanced vaccine certificate with official QR code and the free Verify Ontario app, which became available for download in the Apple app store and Google Play on Friday.
Here’s the highlights of what you need to know:
- The Enhanced Vaccine Certificate will include a QR code for business owners to scan for entry
- Residents can download theirs by birthday cohorts
- Jan.-April can download Oct. 15, May-Aug. can download Oct. 16 and Sept.-Dec. can download Oct. 17
- Anyone can download it as of Oct. 18 regardless of birthday
- “Verify Ontario” app was ready to be downloaded by business owners Oct. 14
- Vaccine receipts will no longer be issued at time of immunization but previously issued receipts are still an acceptable form of proof
- Patrons must still show ID to verify their name and date of birth, along with the Enhanced Vaccine Certificate or old vaccine receipt
- Officials say the QR scan does not retain personal information after being scanned at a business
- Application works with iOS 11 on mobile devices issued as far back as 2014
- The application is not mandatory, businesses that do not use it can still use the Enhanced Vaccine Certificate or receipt, along with identification to verify vaccinations.
- “Digital first doesn’t mean digital only,” said Kaleed Rasheed, associate minister of Digital Government. People can save the electronic version of their vaccine certificate with a QR code to their phone or print a paper copy. Businesses must accept both electronic and paper versions.
- Application doesn’t require an internet connection to work."It can work offline, without an internet connection but like with any app it will need to connect to the internet periodically to keep it up to date," said Rasheed.
- Businesses will get one of three check marks:
- Green: means the person is fully vaccinated and can enter once their name and DOB is confirmed
- Red: if the person is partially vaccinated or 14 days from second dose have not passed
- Yellow: if the QR code couldn’t be read or the document is from a third-party issuer and couldn’t be verified
- The app has been made available in advance to ensure businesses and organizations download the app and have sufficient time to become familiar with it. That's a week earlier than their Oct. 22 deadline to roll out the app.
With files from CTV Windsor's Melanie Borrelli.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.